Satellite vs. Cable Wire HD Tuner DVRs

In several of our previous articles we here at InternetLion.com have explained how poorly HD TV basic cable package lineups compare to introductory-level satellite HD packages—not only are most cable packages normally more expensive, but they also tend to offer fewer channels. But there are even more reasons to choose a satellite TV provider like DISH Network® over whatever your local cable company offers. And one of the biggest of these reasons is that, in a side-by-side satellite vs. cable wire HD tuner DVR comparison, HD satellite dish tuners tend to blow HDTV cable receivers out of the water.

Of course, you might be skeptical about this claim, considering InternetLion.com is a licensed DISH Network retailer. (Heck, we know we’d be.) That’s why, rather than simply telling you HD satellite dish tuners are better than HDTV cable receivers, we’ve put together the following article providing a complete comparison of satellite vs. cable wire HD tuner DVRs.

Satellite vs. Cable Wire HD Tuner DVRs

The first thing to consider when comparing satellite vs. cable wire HD tuner DVRs is whether a device is reliable. For its part, DISH Network offers such certifiably reliable devices that its HD satellite dish tuners have won Editors’ Choice awards from both CNET and PC Magazine.

Plus, DISH Network’s ViP922 DVR/receiver received CNET’s 2009 Best of CES Award. None of these honors are given to shoddily built machines. And certainly no device could have won these awards unless it had passed extensive testing from CNET’s and PC Magazine’s staffs. Perhaps of all the HDTV cable receivers out there the only one that comes close to holding a candle to the DISH Network ViP series machines is Comcast’s Motorola DCT6412. However, as detailed in our article “Motorola Comcast Cable Boxes,” the DCT6412 is known to go on the fritz frequently.

But, of course, when determining whether satellite or cable receivers are better—whether you’re choosing between HD TV basic cable and basic satellite services, or going more up-market—you’ll also want a machine that offers the best features. Again satellite TV providers, and specifically DISH Network, offer the best in terms of this point of comparison.

Take, for instance, DISH Network’s ViP922: It not only performs all the functions of a standard DVR, but it also allows its users to schedule recordings and watch live or saved TV programming from their laptops and smart phones. No other receiver—not even other satellite receivers—offer this feature; DIRECTV®, for one, offers a similar interface for some programming. But only DISH Network and the ViP922 offer it for every program in a subscriber’s lineup.

But the best part is that DISH Network deals offer prospective subscribers a chance to save serious money on their DVRs and receivers. You see—in contrast with cable companies who typically charge for receiver upgrades—DISH Network offers all new subscribers one free Duo DVR/receiver or three standard receivers absolutely free with 24-Mo. Agreement (apart from a nominal monthly service charge of $10). And this means DISH Network subscribers can save as much as $37 per month over some competitors’ receiver fees.

Considering all this, then, the question quickly becomes a matter of why: Why would anyone risk having to use a shoddy cable receiver when even DISH Network’s most introductory package offers savings and equipment satisfaction well beyond what such customers would experience if they subscribed to an HD TV basic cable package? The alternatives to satellite TV just don’t make any sense.

Disclaimer: Please note that this article was written when the satellite TV provider DISH was branded as DISH Network. As of 2/1/2012 DISH Network has changed their branding name to DISH. Article post date: 01/20/2011.

Disclaimer: Please note that the ViP922 Slingloaded DVR is no longer available from DISH. Please refer to our Equipment section for information about current DVR models from DISH like the award-winning Hopper DVR.